Behind the Scenes at First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- You see the final product everyday on your TV, but what goes into making the news happen?

In the newsroom, phones ring almost constantly and hundreds of emails pour in daily. Every day is a new story, a new issue and what makes it to your TV begins in the morning meeting. It is a time to pitch ideas and a plan begins to form for the day.

The hidden force in newscasts you never see at home is the producers. They write much of the newscast and are the handlers of chaos.

"Breaking news, a live shot dies, battery died... the whole show can be blown apart like that," says 6 p.m. producer Jennifer Janda.

They are the cool heads in the control room and the voice that guides the anchors on set. The anchors are the glue for the newscast and often leaders in the newsroom. While you may only see them on air during the newscast, that isn't all they do.

Behind the video you see each day is a photographer and it is a constant battle, minute-by-minute against the clock to get stories edited each day.

"It is 8 hours of work that comes down to the last second and when your story is scheduled to air at 6:02, it better be in slot because you don't miss slot!" tells veteran photographer Mike Kaminski.

For reporters, hours of work, sweat and research is turned into a 90 second story.

"It seems like a lot of work for not a lot of pay off, but I really think it is worth it," tells On Your Side reporter David Williams.

They may start a story, but breaking news will send them chasing down a completely different path.

"I really like the adrenaline and the fast paced moments when news is breaking and everyone pulls together to put together a really awesome product," tells reporter Jacob Long.

So how do we decide *what* we cover? Every newsroom has editorial priorities and we work hard to make sure ours are focused on what matters to you.

When a local food pantry needed its shelves filled for a week, our phone bank collected enough food for a month. When Hurricane Sandy pounded the East Coast, thanks to you, our relief drive filled several 18-wheelers with your donations.

All of it is First For You!

If you want to talk to our anchors and reporters and give them story ideas or just ask them a question, call into our phone bank tonight from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at First Coast News.